STYLE ORGANIZATION

Real Easy Food- Bauska Farmhouse Apple Cake

Posted on April 21, 2020April 22, 2020 by dutchessofpimlico

Today’s recipe is a winner for those who like something that is easy to prepare and is delicious. This was something that my mother taught me and it was handed down from her grandmother. A real farmhouse recipe that is not too sweet so you can have it for breakfast as well as an afternoon pick me up with tea or coffee. You can also double this recipe easily as it is in the photograph. If using self-raising flour omit the baking powder. You can also play around with the toppings and the spices and use oil, margarine, or butter but our favourite is with apple and butter.

9 oz of plain flour.
1/2 teaspoon of salt.
2 teaspoons of baking powder
2 -3oz sugar.
4 oz butter, softened. 1/4 pint of milk.
1 large egg, well beaten.
4 or 5 apples, peeled, and cut into eighths.
3 tablespoons of brown sugar.
2 teaspoons of cardamom.
2 teaspoons of cinnamon. (Mix sugar and spice together)

Preheat oven to 400% F or 200% C or gas mark 6.Grease baking pan. Sift flour, salt, sugar, and baking powder into mixing bowl. Cut in butter. Add beaten egg and milk, making a soft dough. Add dough to pan and smooth. Arrange apples in rows pointed side down into the dough. (Any extra can easily be fitted in gaps as you can see above ) Sprinkle the sugar and spice mix over the apples. Bake for 40 minutes or until a skewer inserted comes out clean and/or the top is browned. If doubling the recipe add 10 – 15 minutes extra).

Organizing, Solutions

Staying Safe In The Time Of Covid 19 -What I do With Shopping & Sanitizing

Posted on March 28, 2020 by dutchessofpimlico

I never know what to expect as every weekly shop is now different. I did read about Covid 19 living for extended periods of time on metal, plastic, etc So I decided to rethink my cleaning process of goods coming into the house, well, just in case. I usually take my own hessian bags but they have been put aside for plastic boxes that have handles and are easy to clean. I have four, and any style of plastic box would work. I cleaned all four before I left. Two came with me and two were left behind in the garage. Once shopping was completed, I placed the two cleaned boxes on my outside dining table and the two filled with groceries on the chairs. If you prefer you can still do this process in the kitchen, I just found it easier. I washed my hands and then with a microfiber cloth and disinfectant spray cleaned all my groceries one by one placing them into the clean baskets. All fruit and vegetables were placed in a plastic bag then taken in and put in lukewarm water with vinegar added into a cleaned sink and left to soak for 10 minutes. The plastic bag was placed in the garage to be used for garbage at a later date. Once all the groceries were put away I cleaned the boxes for the next shop.

Organizing, Solutions

Cleaning In The Time Of Covid 19 The Common Areas

Posted on March 26, 2020 by dutchessofpimlico

The Front/back entryways plus the dining room, sitting rooms, offices, and dens will all need cleaning. to make it easier, have a basket to declutter, clean item first then place in the basket before putting items away. Have a garbage bag ready for any trash. Wipe everything down with an appropriate cleaner to include tables, doors, inside and out, baseboards, mirrors, lamps, switches and doorknobs, tv, stereo, remotes, lights, blinds or shutters. Launder all curtains, blankets, throws and cushion covers. Vacuum all upholstery with attachments. Finish off vacuuming and mop a hardwood floor. Remove boots, clean them and put away. Launder all winter items and put away until next winter. You can spray Lysol on upholstered furniture to sanitize. If you have leather, cleaning carefully will sanitize. Do the same with a sunroom or front porch, sweep and wipe down everything. Put away winter decor. Get out anything you need for spring. Now sanitizing on a daily will be easier because you have done it properly.

Organizing, Solutions

Cleaning In The Time Of Covid 19 – The Bedrooms

Posted on March 25, 2020 by dutchessofpimlico

In numerous surveys done in the US, it was found that many people simply did not wash their bedding enough. Long ago it used to be weekly, now the average is approximately every 3 – 4 weeks. Now, if you are ill, once, you start feeling better, change those sheets so there is no chance of being re-infected. If you have a guest room that you normally share, try sleep distancing. If not place an extra pillow between you or sleep head to toe. Get ready to wash everything, including decorator pillows and curtains in hot water and use the dryer at the hottest setting to clean. Don’t forget your pillow, if it can’t be washed, you can still place it in the dryer to sanitize. Remove any dirty clothes to be washed too. You want everything to be really clean. Wipe all furniture, baseboards, doors, pictures, mirrors, lamps, shelving, books, magazines, light switches, doorknobs, and surfaces with a good cleaner. Declutter if needed. If you are well, you can take time to go through closets and drawers getting ready for spring. Move or pack away any winter clothing you will no longer be wearing. Vacuum the mattress and spray with a disinfectant like Lysol if you want. leave 10 minutes to air. Vacuum the bedroom including any blinds or shutters, finishing with a microfiber cloth and remake the bed. During Covid 19 bump up your washing schedule. The bonus will be cleaning out dust mites and dead skin cells making breathing easier. Sweet dreams.

Organizing, Solutions

Cleaning In The Time Of Covid 19 – The Bathroom

Posted on March 23, 2020March 23, 2020 by dutchessofpimlico

Bathrooms need extra cleaning especially if anyone is ill. Keep your supplies handy by placing a plastic box or basket under the sink with rubber gloves, cleaning cloths or sponges, and the cleaners that you like to use. An old clean toothbrush comes in handy for stubborn grime around taps. I like to use a cream scourer for the sink and bath. The easiest way is to remove everything from the bath or shower, then scour or spray the area with your cleaner, leaving it to work for 10-15 minutes while you clean the sink and the toilet. once done rinse well, wiping tile clean. Clean the soap dish and wipe down any bottles before placing them back. Vinegar will take off any mineral buildup from your showerhead, simply spray and scrub with the toothbrush. Wipe down switches, doorknobs, and handlebars. Check your medicine cabinet for anything old or expired. Toss or put aside to take back to your pharmacy for safe disposal. With Covid 19, change all towels, including the bathmats and wash in hot water, daily, if you have been out and/or if someone is ill. Wash or change the shower curtain if required, Clean the mirror, wash the floor and you are done. If you have any additional bathrooms it would be a good idea for the person who is out working or who is ill to have one to themselves for this time. If you don’t make sure everyone has their own hand towels as well as bath towels.

Organizing, Solutions, Using What You Have

Cleaning In The Time of Covid 19 – The Kitchen

Posted on March 22, 2020March 22, 2020 by dutchessofpimlico

Cupboards tidied by Style Organization in Windsor

Most of us are now home for the foreseeable future and staying safe and healthy is so important. As we move into a new season. Spring cleaning comes to mind. I have had a few emails as to the way to do it now in the time of Covid 19 and I thought I would just post what I am doing now. Please note this is just a guideline.

Daily, and it does not take long if you do it room by room, I scour my kitchen sink with scouring powder and rinse off with hot water. I am disinfecting and cleaning all taps, bathroom and kitchen surfaces. I also clean the landline telephone handset, cellphone, doorknobs, light switches, banisters, all drawer handles and knobs, fridge, dishwasher, microwave, oven handles, buttons, and knobs using a cleaner and cloth or you could use disinfectant wipes. I clean as I cook and sanitize damp kitchen cloths and sponges by microwaving for a minute at a time. I have always washed clothes daily in the machine as we are a family and I have found it easier to do a small load daily then leaving it all for the weekend. I was washing items in cold water to be environmentally friendly but have now switched back to hot for sheets and towels etc.

If you go to work, and one of my daughters does as she works for a grocery store. As soon as she gets home, she strips and puts her clothes in the washing machine and has a shower including washing her hair. She always put on clean clothes or nightwear.

I only go to the grocery store now. I try to limit myself to a weekly shop, although with a lot of shelves stripped bare and items now being limited, it actually looks as if I may be forced out more often. Until we are not. Take an inventory of what you have now in your fridge, freezer, cupboards, and drawers. Include cleaning products but use what you have as we often have too many items. Remove and throw out anything that is old and expired including any sauces and condiments. Next, before placing items back, wipeout and clean any dirty shelves as you go, if you don’t want to do everything all at once break it down into manageable chunks. Now make a list of what you want with options in case they are out of stock for your next shop.

For your spring clean, start in the kitchen. Clean the oven, exhaust hood, and filters, as well as small appliances with appropriate cleaners preferably non-scratch. Check the dishwasher for any food build-up around the door, in the filter and drain. Finish off by cleaning cupboard doors with hot soapy water or a good kitchen spray. Don’t forget the backsplash.

Travel Jounal

Day 17 Teo to Santiago de Compostela on the Portugués Camino

Posted on March 2, 2020March 3, 2020 by dutchessofpimlico

View of the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela from the Balcony of the Parador Hostal dos Reis Católicos

After a short bus ride, the end of the Camino, in the historic Santiago de Compostela. This was my second time here, the first being in November 2018 for three days before we went on to Madrid and Barcelona. At that time we had one extremely wet and windy day, one sunny and one in-between. The day we left it poured. The Christmas lights and decorations were being put up and my husband said he thought Christmas would be lovely there. This time in May the place was just bursting with excitement, the weather was fantastic and everyone was out enjoying the sights, meeting friends, and eating and drinking. I arrived early and was lucky as there was a room available, in fact as this was our third Parador this trip we were upgraded to a suite on the second level which was wonderful. The third level must be even better with larger and more luxurious offerings. As it was I was delighted with all the lovely extras. Thank you, Paradores.

We spent three wonderful days here. We walked about the city hitting Rúa do Franco which is home to a lot of bars and restaurants, at one end there is a bar called Paris and at the other end one called Dakkar…This additional route named after Paris-Dakar rally is to drink a glass of local wine and some tapas at each bar between the Paris and Dakkar. As Santiago is a university town I am sure some have tried it. I think we managed three. We went to one pilgrims’ mass, which due to renovations at the Cathedral celebrated in the church of S. Francisco, just 350 m away from Obradoiro Square. If you are in the main square facing the Cathedral, turn left and walk down Rua de San Francisco, past the Parador. It was very musty. You can still visit the cathedral and hug the apostle. There is a self-guided tour of the Parador and here is a selection of pictures, the place is just incredible. We just had to have dinner at the Parador too. Lots to see and do here. We also liked Café Casino at Rúa do Vilar, 35, just 3 minutes’ walk from the main square. The indoor and outdoor market Mercado de Abastos de Santiago on Rúa das Ameas. Visit As Duas Marias in the Parque de la Alameda.

Travel Jounal

Day 16 Padron to Teo on the Portugués Camino

Posted on March 2, 2020 by dutchessofpimlico

It was easy to find my way back to the bus station as it is such a small town. Santiago de Compostela is not far so you can take any bus. In fact, most pilgrims walking, will do the leg from Padron to Santiago in just one day. Our tour included an overnight stay in Teo. Finding some of the hotels off the main road, the AC241 is the trickier part of the tour, you are given a landmark and you call the hotel from there. It actually does not matter where you call from as everything is pretty close and as I stepped off the bus I found a bar and called the Pazo de Adran Hotel who sent a cab pronto. As luck would have it some Brits who had started in Biona and that we kept running into on the Camino were also staying here, so I spent a very pleasant afternoon drinking and socializing by the pool. We met up again for dinner and a great time was had by all. I did not bother with many photographs as there were no real attractions. Although we had a nice time I think we all felt it would have been better to have made it to Santiago de Compostela.

Fab Finds, Travel Jounal

Day 15 Caldas de Reis to Padron on the Portugués Camino

Posted on March 2, 2020 by dutchessofpimlico

Today I took the bus to Padron. Padron is a town with great religious and historical significance. There are churches, museums, and a small but lovely botanical garden. There is a large open-air market but it was a holiday the day I was there and not open. The Hotel Pazo de Lestrove was actually in Dodro so I took a taxi although if I had known where it was I could have walked. Once checked in, to the newer side of the hotel which was ok, I walked back to Padron to sightsee. The taxi driver was surprised to see me again but the problem was that I just did not have a local map until I actually arrived and was never quite sure where to go. Today was another hot day as I left the hotel to walk back to Padron on the Rua do Carme, turning right onto the bridge over the Rio Sar that takes you to the church of Santiago Apostle in the center of Padron. Just walk a little further to your left to find a maze of shops, restaurants, and bars or walk/sit by the river down a beautiful avenue.

Interesting Snippets, Organizing, Solutions, Travel Jounal, Using What You Have

How to Declutter your Wardrobe in Cuba & Pay it Forward

Posted on February 24, 2020 by dutchessofpimlico

There are 10 provinces and 3 territories in Canada and I felt after a recent visit to Cayo Santa Maria that Cuba could be at least be an honorary destination in recognition of the fact that Canadians love the country so much! At least 99% of tourists were Canadian in Cayo Santa Maria. One couple we met has just completed their 43rd trip to the same resort going monthly. When you switch on the television you get CTV Ottawa! That said, we have just returned from a first-time visit and enjoyed a beautiful week there. I had been told that the Cubans really appreciate any items left behind so when packing I made sure to take things that I would give and leave for them to use. Some said just tip them but this is a country where everything is very expensive and nowhere near the choices we have, we heard many stories, one woman told me she had to pay 14 pesos for a plastic laundry basket and it cost her two weeks’ pay! It does not matter that things have been used although if you are giving something away make sure it is something you would be prepared to accept yourself. Any sort of tote bag is popular as the Cubans work very hard and long hours often traveling long distances to get to work. A day after I arrived my beach bag was admired and I said if she wanted it I was leaving it behind, she did. I also gave out jewelry, bags, fragrance, and clothes. I was fortunate that I had a checked bag as well as a carry-on so I was able to take quite a lot. I was thrilled that my downsizing proved popular, even more than the tips. So if you are traveling to Cuba or perhaps a country that is underprivileged, declutter or if you prefer, purchase some items. Don’t worry if it does not fit as items are traded and passed on. The most popular items that Cubans want are babies and children’s clothes, fragrance and toothpaste.